Benayoun wants Hammers to take courage from mud

Yossi Benayoun has hit out at West Ham‘s performances, highlighting the 6-0 annihilation at Reading. Benayoun, who originally turned down a move to Bolton Wanderers, now 4th in the table said "I am ashamed. I am shocked at the way we played. We played like a bunch of drunks. If we keep on playing like this, we will definitely be relegated. The situation is very bad. I felt like crying."

The Hammers will have to wait a fortnight before their next league outing du to the FACup, which could prove a blessing in diguise. They are set to host Fulham and Benayoun said ahead of the game "It’s become the most important game of the season. Hopefully, everyone will wake up now and give more than 100% of their ability. We must take courage out of the mud on the football field." Playing like drunks? Taking courage from mud? Has he gone mental?

Since Alan Curbishley took over from Alan Pardew (now at Charlton) West Ham looked to have improved with a win against ManYoo, but since have gone on a disasterous run. Benayoun now fears the latest in a long line of shambolic performances may well see Curbs wanting to ship out the dead wood in the side, even after promising that no players would be offloaded.

Benayoun said: "Curbishley said to the players that no-one will go – but who knows after this game? At the moment, I am not going. The fans like me, I have had no offers." Sounds sure of himself doesn’t he? What do you think? Has Yossi been one of the scant few who have impressed this season? Or is he to blame for the dire run as much as the other players at Upton Park? [Mof Gimmers]